The Ultimate Manchester Foodie Hit List
Trying to find the best Manchester foodie spots to try with your friends? Well, Square Gardens has all the inside knowledge.
From trending hot spots for lunch to TikTok-viral restaurants, the city boasts plenty of stylish eateries to grab a bite and take some snaps.
Check out The Ultimate Manchester Foodie Hit List, designed for boujee students, birthday meals, or dinner with your flatmates.
Where can I get the most Instagrammable brunch in Manchester?
If you’re looking for cool places to eat in Manchester, the city centre has plenty of options to explore, like artisan bakeries and cafes where you can get your brunch on.
Coffee fanatics, stand up! Artisan bakery, Essy’s has three locations across the centre of Manchester.
Whether looking to fill your stomach after a lie-in on the weekend or attempting to kill a hangover, the pastries and gourmet coffee are the perfect way to start the day.
Best of all, Essy’s has three locations just 1 mile from our luxury The Fernley accommodation in the city centre, saving you from spending cash on an Uber to get to brunch.
Sick of your average greasy Full English?
Located in the Northern Quarter and Peter Street, Ezra and Gil welcome you to sit back and relax over fresh coffee and brioche French toast.
Ezra and Gil’s aesthetic menu is beyond Instagram-worthy. Everybody will ask about this hidden gem spot when you post it on your story. You have to check it out before everybody else does.
Inspired by Australian hangouts, Federal Cafe is Manchester’s #1 cafe. With sweet and savoury options, this brunch menu has something for sweet tooths and savoury brunchers.
Expect artisan cappuccinos and all the classic options for a tasty weekend treat, like smashed avo or loaded French toast.
All ingredients are ethically sourced when possible, and the buzzing atmosphere is perfect for a group catch-up while brunching. Did somebody say Mimosas?
Which TikTok-famous restaurants are worth the hype in Manchester?
Have you ever visited a restaurant you saw on your FYP and thought, “what the hell was all the hype about?” Well, don’t worry, these spots deliver, and some!
Many of these viral restaurants are 10-15 minutes from Square Gardens, so you’re always just a stroll from cool places to eat in Manchester.
Some say House of Flu boasts the best ramen in Manchester. As a well-known hangover-killer, the ramen here will lift you from the dead and prepare you for the day.
If you’re looking to step away from the typical brunch options, House of Fu tops the list of quirky restaurants in Manchester.
Nothing misses here, and the vibey interior matches the delicious food. For those feeling wild, the bottomless brunch is out of this world!
Ready for a carb overload? You deserve it. Don Giovanni went viral for its iconic cheese wheel, where cheese is melted, poured all over your pasta dish, and served right before you.
Whether you’re out for a solo dinner or looking for something fancy with your flatmates, this independent Italian restaurant always delivers.
Speaking of Italian cuisine, Onda is Manchester’s pasta hotspot. This pasta bar went viral for its Tiramisu draw (yep, fresh Tiramisu served out of a draw).
Think focaccia, Lumache (shell-shaped pasta) with nduja or creamy carbonara. Trust us when we say, this is the pasta bar of all pasta bars.
But be quick; influencers and students queue for ages just to get a table here!
Best rooftop bars in Manchester
Rooftop bars are the vibe for 2025. Insane views. Tasty cocktails. One hell of a lively atmosphere: These are the cocktail and fancy dinner hotspots you must check out.
One of Manchester’s most sought-after bars, this rooftop gem offers Mediterranean bites with panoramic views of the city.
Head outside, sit in the hanging basket seats, and enjoy the range of tasty cocktails to kickstart the evening.
It’s hard to get a table here, but if you’re craving a boujee meal with your flatmate or a boozy bottomless brunch, 20 Stories is your answer.
Introducing Tattu, Manchester’s favourite fancy Chinese restaurant. At 1 mile from Square Gardens, a unique Far East bottomless brunch with Chinese-inspired cocktails awaits.
Tattu even serves a unique Sunday roast menu, with roast duck and salt and pepper potatoes, blending your Saturday night takeaway with everybody’s favourite comfort food.
If you’re looking for Chinese-themed restaurants in Manchester, Tattu tops the list.
Which quirky restaurants in Manchester offer unique dining experiences?
It’s safe to say Manchester is one of the food capitals of the UK. With this comes plenty of diverse cuisine options, all in the centre for you to explore.
Found on King Street, Flight Club brings the energy with brunch, drink deals, and darts for one of the most action-packed dining experiences in the city.
Between bites, see if you can hit the bullseye!
This award-winning bar is perfect for a quirky meal with your flatmate and some friendly competition. But spaces go quickly, so book your table beforehand at this crazy spot.
You haven’t experienced themed restaurants in Manchester until you’ve eaten at Six by Nico.
Manchester’s most secret menu offers a different theme every six weeks.
Could it be Italian? Maybe Asian? What will it be when you visit?
Whatever it is, we hope you’re hungry. With six different courses to tackle, this exclusive joint is the place to be for influencers and adventurous foodies.
Where should I go for the best street food vibes in the city centre?
Manchester’s city centre is a street food hub, offering any cuisine you can imagine. Why not explore the city with good company and even better grub?
Here is a list of the top Manchester foodie spots to try:
Manchester’s biggest street food space is only a 13-minute bus ride from Square Gardens. Take a trip out with your friends and taste pizzas, kebabs, ice cream, burgers, pastries, cookies, and gyozas.
GRUB has an exclusive independent cinema and live performances; it’s your social hub with entertainment and photo-worthy street food to WOW your tastebuds.
Ready for Manchester’s hottest street food spots? The food hall is found in the Northern Quarter and offers something for everybody (even that fussy flatmate).
From Aperol spritz and local beers to truffle burgers and fish tacos, you won’t leave hungry or thirsty.
Just scan the provided QR code and order your favourite bites to your table. This award-winning street food spot has to be at the top of your bucket list.
What foodie gems are trending around First Street and Spinningfields?
Living in Square Gardens means First Street and Spinningfields’ hidden foodie gems are right on your doorstep.
This lively cocktail bar on First Street serves some of the best food in Manchester.
With Asian-inspired small plates and cocktails, this hidden gem is a must-try before it gets too popular.
Indian Tiffin is all about the flavours, not the spice, so it’s the perfect Indian street food spot for everybody in the group.
Why not grab a bite here for a casual meal with your flatmates before hitting the town?
Medlock Canteen does everything, from a serious breakfast to the ultimate comfort food for dinner, all inspired by American favourites.
The Good Food Guide 2024 mentioned this joint for relaxing vibes and a hearty menu. And at just an 11-minute walk from Square Gardens, it could become your local diner for all things brunch and coffee.
Choose Square Gardens
Want to live just around the corner from some of Manchester’s trendiest restaurants and bars?
Co-living in Square Gardens opens the door to a welcoming community, the city centre lifestyle, and luxury facilities that can’t be experienced elsewhere.
Get in touch today and make Square Gardens your base so that all these insane food spots are within walking distance from your apartment.
SQUARE GARDENS BROUGHT TO YOU BY DOWNING LIVING
